Electronic simulator

ABSTRACT

The device described is an Electronic Simulator for use as a teaching aid.  
     This device uses fluid with suspended particles representing electrons that can be seen flowing through the transparent parts. This hydraulic based teaching aid visually demonstrates electronic principles including but not limited to; voltage, current, circuit path, resistance, capacitance, and semiconductors.  
     Battery, Capacitor, Conductor, Diode, Resistor, Switch and Transistor functions are all simulated with quick connected transparent hydraulic components. A flow meter measures current Amps. A pressure gauge measures Volts Seeing the “electrons” flow thru the transparent components teaches the basic principles of electronics quickly and easily.  
     A small air pump serves to charge the Battery. When pneumatically pressurized, the Battery supplies the hydraulic force to push the particle suspended fluid through the different components.  
     As a teaching aid, the electronic simulator includes an instructional booklet and interactive CD that provides various circuit configuration connection diagrams.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/331,240 filed Nov. 13, 2001. The entirety of this application is herein incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a simulator used to teach electronics. In particular, the invention relates to a visual electronic teaching method using liquid holding suspended particles flowing through transparent parts to visually represent electric current flowing through various electronic components.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Various training methods and devices have been developed in the past for teaching electronics. Types of devices include simulators that use active electronic components and meteorology to allow the student to build and practice with live electronic circuits. Another teaching method uses computers to design and test electronic circuits in virtual reality. These approaches to teaching electronics require the student be knowledgeable of math, computers and physics as a prerequisite to understanding the dynamics of the circuits.

[0004] It is known electronics is becoming more and more a part of everyday life, yet so few are educated to understand even the basic principles. It would be a benefit to people to have a simpler method of learning electronics, a visual electronic simulator that allows the student to see the principals of electronics in transparent operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] It is thus an object of this invention to provide a method of teaching electronics that includes the utilization of an electronic simulator that uses liquid holding suspended particles flowing through transparent parts to represent electric current flowing through various electronic components; the transparent parts acting as functional hydraulic equivalents of their electronic component counterparts.

[0006] Accordingly, this invention provides the functional hydraulic equivalents of components commonly used in electronic circuits; the battery; the conductor; the resistor; the capacitor; the diode; the transistor; the switch; that can be connected in various configurations to best demonstrate the basic principals of electronics including voltage; current flow; resistance; capacitance; semiconductors; power generation and storage.

[0007] An instructional booklet and interactive CD that comes with the visual electric simulator give the instructor or student the directions as to the component configurations that can be quick connected, the process in which to charge the battery and the meaning of the simulated electronic principals being visually demonstrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0008] For a further understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are given the same or analogous reference numbers and wherein:

[0009]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the visual electronic training method incorporating the electronic simulator 10 which may sit on a table 12. Accompanying the electronic simulator 10 is an instructional booklet 14 and interactive CD 16 that comes with the visual electric simulator, either of which give the instructor or student the directions as to the component configurations that can be quick connected, the process in which to charge the battery and the meaning of the simulated electronic principals being visually demonstrated.

[0010]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a transparent functional hydraulic equivalent of a battery made from clear plastic 20 used to power the components of the electronic simulator 10. The battery is comprised of two compartments, a supply side 22 and a return side 24 separated by a dividing wall 26. A fill valve 28 mounted on the dividing wall 26 allows the liquid holding suspended particles 32 to transfer between the two compartments during the recharging process. On top of the clear plastic enclosure 20 is the fluid fill cap 34 a pressure gauge 36 and an air pump 38. A one way check valve quick connect fitting 30 is used for fluid inlet and outlet marked “+” and “−”.

[0011]FIG. 3 is an illustration of a transparent functional hydraulic equivalent of a conductor made of clear plastic tubing 40, which contains the liquid holding suspended particles 32. The ends of which are sealed with quick connect fittings 42.

[0012]FIG. 4 is an illustration of a transparent functional hydraulic equivalent of a switch made of clear plastic 44, which contains the liquid holding suspended particles 32 The ends of which are sealed with quick connect fittings 42. Turning the valve body 46 controls the flow.

[0013]FIG. 5 is an illustration of a transparent functional hydraulic equivalent of a resistor made of clear plastic 48, which contains the liquid holding suspended particles 32 The ends of which are sealed with quick connect fittings 42.

[0014]FIG. 6 is an illustration-of a transparent functional hydraulic equivalent of a capacitor made of clear plastic 50, which contains the liquid holding suspended particles 32 The ends of which are sealed with quick connect fittings 42.

[0015]FIG. 7 is an illustration of a transparent functional hydraulic equivalent of a transistor made of clear plastic 56, which contains the liquid holding suspended particles 32 The ends of which are sealed with quick connect fittings 42.

[0016]FIG. 8 is a sample of the circuit configuration diagrams 61,62,63,64,65 that are provided in the instructional booklet and interactive CD. Circuits are built using an in series flow meter 58 to represent electric current flow. Diagrams 61,62 show current flow principles. Diagrams 63,64,65 demonstrate series and parralel electronic resistance principals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Referring more particularly to the illustration FIG. 1 a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the visual electronic training method incorporating the electronic simulator 10 which may sit on a table 12. Accompanying the electronic simulator 10 is an instructional booklet 14 and interactive CD 16 that comes with the visual electric simulator, either of which give the instructor or student the directions as to the component configurations FIG. 8 that can be quick connected. When the selected circuit is connected together, the next step will be the process in which to charge the battery 20.

[0018] Referring more particularly to the illustration FIG. 2 a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a transparent functional hydraulic equivalent of a battery made from clear plastic 20 used to power the components of the electronic simulator 10. The battery is comprised of two compartments, a supply side 22 and a return side 24 separated by a dividing wall 26. On top of the clear plastic enclosure 20 is the fluid fill cap 34. The battery charging process begins with opening the vented fluid fill cap 34 and filling the return 24 side of the battery with liquid holding suspended particles 32. The vented fluid fill cap 34 is then closed. Next a fill valve 28 mounted on the dividing wall 26 is opened allowing the liquid holding suspended particles 32 to transfer between the two compartments. This valve is closed when both compartment 22 and 24 fluid levels are equal. On top of the clear plastic enclosure 20 are a pressure gauge 36 and an air pump 38. The air pump 38 is used to pressurize or “charge” the battery 20 until the pressure gauge 36 displays the desired reading. The pressure gauge 36 is reading air pressure, which is displayed as VOLTS. A quick connect fitting 30 is used for fluid inlet to the return 24 side and outlet from the supply 22 side marked “+” and “−”.

[0019] Referencing FIG. 8 circuit configuration 64 as a typical example, the visual electronic simulator 10 actively visibly demonstrates electronic principles by using the flow of liquid holding suspended particles 32 supplied by the “charged” battery 20. The fluid flow representing the electric current flow begins when the switch 44 is turned on by twisting the valve 46 to the open position. The air pressure in the battery 20 will push the liquid holding suspended particles 32 out the quick connect fitting 42 on the supply 22 side, and through-the conductor 40. The flow will continue through the switch 44 and next it will visibly flow through the resistors 48 and next through the flow meter 58. The flow measured through the flow meter 58 represents AMPS. The fluid then continues through another conductor 40, which connects the circuit to the battery 20 return 24 side. The return 24 side reservoirs the returned liquid holding suspended particles 32. Flow stops when the switch 44 is turned off by twisting the valve 46 to the closed position, or when the battery 20 is drained of pressure representing voltage being drained. The battery 20 is then “recharged” and the entire process is repeated.

[0020] It can be seen from the preceding description that a method of teaching electronics that includes the utilization of an electronic simulator that uses liquid holding suspended particles flowing through transparent parts to represent electric current flowing through various electronic components; the transparent parts acting as functional hydraulic equivalents of their electronic component counterparts, has been provided.

[0021] It is noted that the embodiment of the electronic simulator described herein in detail for exemplary purposes is of course subject to many different variations in structure, design, application and methodology. Because many varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope of the inventive concept(s) herein taught, and because many modifications may be made in the embodiment herein detailed in accordance with the descriptive requirements of the law, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and not limiting in sense. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of teaching electronics that includes the utilization of an electronic simulator that uses liquid holding suspended particles flowing through transparent parts to visibly represent electric current flowing through various electronic components; the transparent parts acting as functional hydraulic equivalents of their electronic component counterparts; a) said electronic simulator having at least one transparent functional hydraulic equivalent of a battery made from clear plastic. b) said electronic simulator having at least one transparent functional hydraulic equivalent of a conductor made from clear plastic tubing. c) said electronic simulator having at least one transparent functional hydraulic equivalent of a switch made from clear plastic. d) said electronic simulator having at least one transparent functional hydraulic equivalent of a resistor made from clear plastic. e) said electronic simulator having at least one transparent functional hydraulic equivalent of a capacitor made from clear plastic. f) said electronic simulator having at least one transparent functional hydraulic equivalent of a transistor made from clear plastic.
 2. A method of teaching electronics that includes the utilization of an electronic simulator as per claim 1 that includes an instructional booklet and interactive CD that provides various circuit configuration connection diagrams.
 3. A method of teaching electronics that includes the utilization of an electronic simulator as per claim 1, said electronic simulator transparent parts having quick connect fittings for fast and leak less circuit component connections. 